Avoiding dust

[klutz_100]

Originally Posted by MPWR

A dehydrator may help with outgassing paint. But as the real concern is dust during the painting process instead of dust after, I'm not sure how much it would help with contamination control.

It helps

[jmesawitz]

Without pictures it is hard to know exactly but I have seen many paint issues attributed to dust that were actually debris in the paint right from the start. I find it to be a good habit to filter my thinned paint before putting it in the airbrush cup. The act of thinning paint (especially if doing it in the original bottle) can release semi hardened particles into your mix. Often times thinner will not break these particles no mater how thorough your mixing technique.

Sorry if I made an incorrect assumption that you are airbrushing vs rattle can

[bobss396]

One big source of dust is YOU. And me too. I wear only cotton t-shirts, nothing remotely fuzzy like a new flannel shirt or something synthetic that can hold a charge. If I have a serious paint job in the works, I shake out my shirt first outside. Avoid walking arcoss a carpet and painting in extremely dry weather.

I also use a dehydrator, as soon as the paint is down, in it goes. Enamels stay tacky longer, lacquers flash over quickly and if any dust falls on it, it often comes off once the paint is dry.

I paint outside too. If the weather is warm (not too hot) I leave it out for maybe 15 minutes before going to the dehydrator.

Bob

[MidMazar]

Originally Posted by godfather23

I have made a very good experience spraying outside and then rushing the sprayed body immediately into the microwave. Even very wet coats don´t collect dust there...You just need to be fast. I don´t live in the desert, though.

This is what i do with great results, have no room for a paintbooth.

[CFarias]

When you wash the model before you paint is important to let it air dry. If you wipe it clean you will create a static electrical charge on the plastic that will attract dust immediately. I don't know if this is how you dry your models, but this is an often overlooked source of dust contamination.

A food dehydrator, mentioned previously, is a big help here. Not only will it quickly dry your paint but it will air dry your model quickly, too.

Using automotive grade paints and primers will also help. In my experience they are easier to fix when dust gets to them than standard hobby paints.

It sounds like you also have a problem with fish-eyes, too. If you paint outside be sure that your model is absolutely dry and that you paint when the humidity is low. Don't paint after it rains or late at night.

Hope this helps.

[cogitator56]

Before painting you can eliminate any built up static charge in the piece to be painted by wiping it with an anti-static cloth. These work very well and are available at a small cost from most good camera stores. I've had good success with them.

[pharr7226]

I paint in a carpeted room with a spray booth. I had a dust problem, even with the spray booth until I did the following, which I learned here and from other model sites: (1) turn the fan on in the booth at least 1/2 hour before painting; (2) make sure the booth is clean as noted in a prior post; (3) spray the booth down with a water mist from a spray bottle or airbrush about 10 minutes before painting; (4) wear a lint free hat while painting; (5) wear a lint free shirt or jacket like a golf windshirt or windbreaker jacket; (6) leave the sprayed part in the booth until is flashes (is dry to the touch); (7) use quick drying paints like acrylics or lacquers - don't use enamels unless they're quick drying emamel/lacquer hybrids like Kustom Kolor. I hope this helps.

[pharr7226]

As for the spots, they are probably mineral deposits from the water that you use to wash the parts. I had the same problem and did the following to fix it. Use a detergent/soap that does not have additives like scents or lotion. Ivory hand soap is a good choice but certainly not the only choice. If you have an airbrush, blow the water off the washed part with it.

[safetyfast]

I try to spray my models outdoors using a Tamiya paint stand. Then place both inside a clean 50 quart cooler, close the top and wait till the paints is dry. I can usually paint outside for some 8 months out of the year. For the the other four months, it's the bathroom for the time being with the shower door closed. I'm getting married next year and I'm not sure the bathroom thing is going to work in the future with the wife. LOL

Jim

[ep-hatcher-510]

I do all my painting and drying outside, i haven't had a problem with dust. Maybe u can try to wet the ground around the area you are painting so that things wont go flying around when u move your feet.

[stevenoble]

I think the key element is cleanliness at all times.Make sure the spray booth is clean, the airbrush and all associated parts.Filter the paint before use, clean off the parts you are painting and use a tack rag on them before you spray.Leave them somewhere clean, warm and dry whilst they are drying.If you do as much as possible to minimize the possibility of dust, any that does slip through the net will polish out quite easily.I think this is an age old problem with anyone who does any kind of spray painting, so you are not alone.